tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59739701980552158442024-03-13T09:16:39.088-07:00Life's A BeachA girl, 2 horses, 2 dogs and a Rebel... doing our best to just enjoy life.
<br>(Everything in this blog belongs to me. Period.)SweetPeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01762714976706163036noreply@blogger.comBlogger629125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973970198055215844.post-21810470818497869312013-04-08T15:59:00.000-07:002013-04-08T15:59:11.409-07:00Update: Animals...Flash: Is legging up nicely and will be ready for a 30 mile endurance ride on the 20th. So far, he is noncommittal as far as the move to the new place goes. He'll give it a week or so until the new fencing is up and <i>then </i>give his grand pronouncement as to the fitness of the place.<br />
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Goodwin: Is getting an education in ponying and will be started under saddle soon. He'll be coming with Flash to Grizzly to check out the sights and sounds of an endurance race. He thinks the new place is fine just as long as the big bale/food all the time routine continues. He thinks that burying himself up to his eyeballs in hay is awesome. Especially when he can do it at 2:30 in the morning or 2:30 in the afternoon.<br />
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Seven: Went out on trial to Hanna's niece LT. He had a few rides put on him before he went off, but his 13.2HH frame just isn't enough for my 5' 7" frame. It looks like they have a connection so she will be taking him to Washington to continue to work with him and try to get him ready for a life of endurance. He thinks that life is grand no matter where he is as long as there's someone there to scritch his face and tell him what a good boy he is.<br />
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Daisy: Is wondering why she had to do yet <i>another </i>move *deep sigh*. The fenced backyard is nice when the sun is shining and having her very own doggie room is pretty awesome... if she didn't have to share it with the Marshmallow, that is. She thinks the new digs are pretty nice and is enjoying the beef flavored joint supplement and an occasional waffle.<br />
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Noelle: Is wondering why she has a fenced yard. After all, she's not prone to wander... in fact, she eagerly sits by the back door just waiting for someone to<i> let her in already</i>. Also, the new place is fine as long as it's equipped with a Chuck-It and someone to operate said Chuck-It. Other than that, the rest are just details.<br />
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Stay tuned. Next installment is Update: Work...<br />
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And trust me when I say you don't want to miss that one.SweetPeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01762714976706163036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973970198055215844.post-91884330541514162142013-03-25T12:19:00.002-07:002013-03-25T12:19:32.599-07:00Hang in there...I know, I know. It's been a while. And I have a lot of things to tell you...<br />
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The first of which is: we're moving next weekend. Followed by: I'll have internet at my house again on April 5th.<br />
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Exciting, yes?<br />
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So... with internet at my whim, I'll be able to start posting with regularity again.<br />
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You are excited. I know you are.<br />
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See you in 2 weeks!!SweetPeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01762714976706163036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973970198055215844.post-27670655316318905872013-02-28T14:14:00.001-08:002013-03-01T16:33:59.037-08:00If I'm going to attract things, why can't it be money?HillBill has always said that I attract the crazy. And it's true. I do...<br />
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Last time HillBill and I went for a brewsky it was only a matter of 20 minutes before 2 completely drunk-off-their-ass types sat next to us trying to chat us up. And it was a couple... not even 2 guys (or 2 girls, for that matter). A couple. She could barely string a sentence together. He was trying to take a nap on the bar.<br />
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Somehow with Rebel I got lucky. He's fairly normal (most of the time). And most of my friends are normal. Actually, check that. We're all horse owners which make us (by default) not normal in the least. My animals are definitely <i>not </i>normal. Flash is gay. Goodwin is a diva. Seven is, well, Seven. Daisy just ignores us. And the Marshmallow is a molting pile of fur.<br />
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Our last landlords were a bit on the weird side, as well. Not straight up crazy, but just a tad controlling... about things that really didn't matter. But, oh well... we all parted on good terms.<br />
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Now, I'm dealing with another set of crazy landlords. Ones who don't do what they said they would. Ones that are now trying to tell me that I agreed to move my horses off property so they could seed the pasture. News flash: I didn't say that. I didn't even hint that. I'm paying for horse property so I can *gasp* have horses on the property. What I did say last fall was that we weren't in a complete rush to get the fences done by mid-October because I had a pasture they could hang in. They said they were going to fence in the lower portion of the property to move the horses to when they wanted to seed. Why is that so hard to remember now? Oh yeah. I know why. They are lazy fucks who don't want to get off their asses and do any of the things they said they would. The <i>only </i>reason I have a place to actually live in is because Rebel actually did all the work to get it finished (and they bitched about paying him once he had done it).<br />
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*sigh*<br />
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We do need a new place anyway. Now that Rebel is here full-time we need something bigger. 500 square feet just isn't enough for 2 grown peeps and a couple of mutts.<br />
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I hate moving, but it looks like it'll be happening sooner rather than later...<br />
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*sigh*SweetPeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01762714976706163036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973970198055215844.post-74914925743923326802013-01-31T16:18:00.002-08:002013-01-31T16:18:49.070-08:00Full time...So, Rebel has decided that "retirement" is boring and that he wants to work again... just not for himself this time. He also decided that he wants to be here full time.<br />
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*happy dance* <br />
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So, he's moving in... <br />
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*slightly less enthusiastic happy dance... until I think about finances... then VERY happy dance*<br />
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I'm excited. Those weeks when he was down south at his Sis's ranch were kind of sucky. Plus, this will be a good test before we pack up and move South together.<br />
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I'm sure there will be a learning curve. My place is small and there's nowhere to go to get away if things are tense. In the past, I've been able to ignore certain behavior because he was leaving in a few days and I could get over it without him being around. That won't be the case anymore. "Compromise" is going to have to happen. But I'm sure it'll be fine.<br />
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*famous last words* <br />
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And when it's not, I have you all to vent to. Which is a stress reliever for me and entertainment for you. Win/win, right? What could possibly go wrong?<br />
<br />
*famous last words*SweetPeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01762714976706163036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973970198055215844.post-60640169171370970532013-01-30T15:48:00.002-08:002013-01-30T15:48:56.439-08:00Goals for the ponies...So, I've decided that I'm going to concentrate on getting Seven going (so he can be sold to a Junior rider) and do an easy year of LD's with Flash as well. To that end, I'm going to be trying to stick to rides that are multi-days.<br />
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The first one coming up will be Grizzly in April. Flash won't be a problem getting legged up for a 30. The real test will be getting Seven ready to do the 12 mile trail ride on Sunday (after I've done the 30 with Flash on Saturday).<br />
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That's the goal for Flash and Seven.<br />
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As for Goodwin, just getting him to not be quite so aloof (and reactionary) will be a start. To that end, he has to get messed with every night before I'll let him approach his hay. I'm hoping with consistent work, he'll start to see that people aren't so bad after all...SweetPeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01762714976706163036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973970198055215844.post-77165441644296591832013-01-16T11:09:00.003-08:002013-01-16T11:09:49.947-08:00Someone needs to pay for my 15 kids...<div style="text-align: center;">
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I seriously have no words.</div>
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Except to say: pay for your own fucking kids. That shouldn't be <i>my </i>job just because I <i>have </i>a job. </div>
SweetPeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01762714976706163036noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973970198055215844.post-13821294401883040982013-01-10T12:35:00.001-08:002013-01-10T12:37:21.176-08:00Sometimes the little guy just needs a little help...As you know, I have 4 horses... or maybe you don't know. But you do now.<br />
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Anyway, the state of the horses are such: Flash (arab, 15 years old) is home with me. Nice and fat. Needs to be in work, but the weather is not very cooperative. Storm (mustang, 13 years old) is at a friend's place enjoying retirement. Since losing a few pounds is doing well on her stifle that has been giving her a lot of trouble this past year. Goodwin (NSHxTB, 6/7 years old) is home with me. In good weight. Still a freak about everything. Working on it. Seven (arab, 7 years old) is home with me. After taking off blankets the other day was found to be too thin. Time to start segregating at meal time.<br />
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I discussed the situation with Rebel and how best to let Seven eat in peace without the chow hounds constantly pushing him off the feed. We decided to set up the corral panels just outside of the pasture and put Seven in there at night so we can get him some grain and constant access to hay all night. During the day he'll be out in the pasture with the boys.<br />
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Last night was our first night giving this new system a try. We gave Seven alfalfa pellets, some Ultium grain and around 4 flakes of hay. This morning when I went to check on him he was just hoovering up the last of the hay. Seriously... I cannot believe he ate that amount of food. He's maybe 13.2HH and weighs around 800 pounds. It's like watching a teenage boy go at the fridge. And at this rate he'll be back up to optimum weight in no time.<br />
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I love a horse that loves to eat. Plus, since he has a blanket on he's not burning precious calories trying to stay warm. Win/win.<br />
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I think we'll leave this system in place until the landlords take their horses back home and free up the other side of the pasture...SweetPeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01762714976706163036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973970198055215844.post-3653695982993463552012-12-21T12:51:00.001-08:002012-12-21T12:54:30.730-08:00Hey, Hay...It's official. I've dumped my former married name once and for all. I now have a driver's license with my actual name on it. And it only took me almost 5 years... hah.<br />
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In other news, I don't have internet at my house at present and typing up posts on my phone is the worst. So posts will probably continue to be sporadic until I get that figured out and am surfing the web from the comfort of my laptop (with WiFi). This whole depending on 3G thing really sucks.<br />
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In other other news, the world did not end. No explosion. Not even a fizzle...<br />
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So, I guess I'm headed to the Parental's house for Christmas. Hope the roads are clear. Or the chains are easy to put on... either way. Rebel took the truck down south to the ranch, so that option's out.</div>
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However, before Rebel left he worked on the project from hell (remember the stocking I'm supposed to be making?) He actually spent a few hours on this thing...</div>
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<i>Best boyfriend EVAR...</i></div>
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Now if that isn't love, I don't know what is. Have a very Merry Christmas!!</div>
SweetPeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01762714976706163036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973970198055215844.post-40244286232774906932012-12-05T10:36:00.001-08:002012-12-05T10:36:07.992-08:00Equality does not equal Entitlement...I've been brooding on this subject for a while now. And the train of though got started innocently enough.<br />
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While driving from the beach to Portland over Thanksgiving weekend, Rebel and I were behind a car that had a bumper sticker that said "Equality for all". Simple statement. And one that I happen to agree with.<br />
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However, that car was being driven by someone who felt entitled to only drive 40 in a 55 zone and not use the slow car turn-out so the 30 cars behind her (of course it was...) could be on their merry way. Sure, you're allowed to use the road just as I am... that's called equality. You holding up traffic because you can't do the speed limit? That's entitlement. Get off the major roads until you feel you can safely handle that type of driving. You aren't entitled to make the rest of us miserable because you aren't up to snuff on a major roadway.<br />
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Am I the only one noticing that people are confusing the two? You are entitled to equality... however, what you do with it is on you. It's not up to others to hand you things. It's up to you to take that equality and work for it.<br />
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I think that's a message that has gotten lost. I hope it gets found soon...SweetPeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01762714976706163036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973970198055215844.post-12718069236411806812012-11-30T13:46:00.001-08:002012-11-30T13:46:34.364-08:00WTFB?!?To borrow a phrase from another blogger: What the Fuzzy Bunny?!?<br />
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Half the pics from my post yesterday didn't make it to the final publication. Apparently I've reached the end of the free storage (1 Gig) and now either need to switch who hosts the blog, or pay for storage.<br />
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What to do? What to do?<br />
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What would you do? Should I pay? Should I move the blog? Hmmm... for now I guess it'll be posts without pics (kinda boring) until I figure it out.SweetPeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01762714976706163036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973970198055215844.post-28043522603413196762012-11-29T14:54:00.001-08:002012-11-29T14:54:51.521-08:00Things to be thankful for...<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Great family...</i></div>
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<i>The love of my life...</i></div>
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<i>All my kids...</i></div>
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<i>Great friends...</i></div>
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And, of course, my readers. Thanks for reading and being a part of my life...</div>
SweetPeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01762714976706163036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973970198055215844.post-31157470673055300602012-11-20T13:20:00.002-08:002012-11-20T13:22:48.136-08:00Black Friday?So I guess Black Friday has now become Black Thursday and a Half... thanks to Walmart leading the charge. They will be opening at 8pm on Thanksgiving. Rather than at Midnight. And workers are striking because of it.<br />
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So, I have 2 thoughts on this particular subject...<br />
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1. If you (the worker striking) decided to work for a retail company that opens at 8pm on Thanksgiving, then that's on you. No one chose that job for you... you did. You have a job. Do it. There are a lot of people out there without a job. If you don't like the hours (or holidays you have to work) then perhaps you need to choose a different line of work. Just a thought.<br />
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2. If you (the consumer) are pissed about stores doing these types of things, then stop lining up at the door at 8pm on Thanksgiving. Companies are out to make a buck. If opening early <i>isn't </i>making them a buck, then they will stop. This is not rocket science.<br />
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My personal plan of action? Avoid Black Friday at all costs...SweetPeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01762714976706163036noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973970198055215844.post-69965863314363391032012-11-16T13:06:00.005-08:002012-11-20T11:30:02.173-08:00A thimble might be in order...I'm working on a stocking for my nephew. It's one of those felt applique stockings where you stitch it all together yourself. I have done several of these over the years... one for myself, one for Ex-hub, and 2 for previous nieces and nephews. And every time I finish another one I promise myself <i>never again</i>.<br />
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They are a giant pain in the ass... and a significant pain in my poor finger that takes the brunt of the needle poking when I'm trying to get the damn sequins and beads in the correct spot.<br />
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<i>Giant pain in the ass posing as a benign stocking...</i></div>
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However, this particular nephew has been without a proper matching stocking for 3 years now, so I refuse to quit. Well, that and once you start you just kind of have to push through to the end. If you try to stop for any length of time and then start up again, inevitably most of the thread and sequins go missing...</div>
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*where they go is a mystery... probably the same place as socks from the dryer*</div>
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So, the quest to finish this <strike>damn</strike> cute stocking continues. And now, of course, Rebel is getting into me finishing it. As soon as I walk in the door, he's harassing me about the <strike>damn</strike> thing. Great. Just what I need. I hope it's done soon. Not sure how much more I can take...</div>
SweetPeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01762714976706163036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973970198055215844.post-29378773844769272872012-11-13T14:16:00.001-08:002012-11-13T14:16:20.262-08:00A year (and a few days)...Rebel and I started dating a year ago (on Sunday). We decided to call it a year, even though there was a month or so in the middle where there was no communication (and a few months where we were "together" but not together).<br />
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Eventually he figured it out, and so did I and that's what we're celebrating. So, here's the year in review:<br />
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<i>Silver Falls...</i></div>
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<i>Random waterfall hike...</i></div>
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<i>Crescent City...</i></div>
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<i>Camp Sherman...</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l9U3p7TLs68/UKK_VS-EuWI/AAAAAAAAD4Y/bXVOAppw4_U/s1600/richard+at+the+river.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l9U3p7TLs68/UKK_VS-EuWI/AAAAAAAAD4Y/bXVOAppw4_U/s320/richard+at+the+river.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Impromptu fire while out on the quad...</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-85swd8BkJeE/UKK9WnX5VFI/AAAAAAAAD3w/HPlnSCU3dEQ/s1600/IMG_0465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-85swd8BkJeE/UKK9WnX5VFI/AAAAAAAAD3w/HPlnSCU3dEQ/s320/IMG_0465.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<i>Top of Cline Butte...</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8xqs09Qx7Yw/UKK9VAi5-PI/AAAAAAAAD3o/KvtJRyCK1y4/s1600/IMG_0457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8xqs09Qx7Yw/UKK9VAi5-PI/AAAAAAAAD3o/KvtJRyCK1y4/s320/IMG_0457.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Columbia River...</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9uizm4iT6wY/UKK4PAsySMI/AAAAAAAADvo/N3wXdstKPm0/s1600/IMG_0443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9uizm4iT6wY/UKK4PAsySMI/AAAAAAAADvo/N3wXdstKPm0/s320/IMG_0443.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<i>On a "trail" ride...</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n2p7SoFpQi0/UKK9T4em-SI/AAAAAAAAD3g/rlxhQ2bH55s/s1600/IMG_0451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n2p7SoFpQi0/UKK9T4em-SI/AAAAAAAAD3g/rlxhQ2bH55s/s320/IMG_0451.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Flash and I being followed by the quad...</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B5YVmjg68AY/UKK9SacoEKI/AAAAAAAAD3Y/u6MyTFUgHjc/s1600/IMG_0449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B5YVmjg68AY/UKK9SacoEKI/AAAAAAAAD3Y/u6MyTFUgHjc/s320/IMG_0449.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Run-in with a pine cone...</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tx_ydOoSw9s/UKK4kSQc5HI/AAAAAAAADv4/fFCFhz7_-bY/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tx_ydOoSw9s/UKK4kSQc5HI/AAAAAAAADv4/fFCFhz7_-bY/s320/photo+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Unable to walk, but still kickin' it...</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kXUX6K4xm8w/UKK4tSU1opI/AAAAAAAADwI/PnuI6W_QBNI/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kXUX6K4xm8w/UKK4tSU1opI/AAAAAAAADwI/PnuI6W_QBNI/s320/photo+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>First camping trip with the new set-up...</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z9Bg56pTWcY/UKK4zp5nO-I/AAAAAAAADwQ/jXSjLzNLIok/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z9Bg56pTWcY/UKK4zp5nO-I/AAAAAAAADwQ/jXSjLzNLIok/s320/photo+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PTj-vKi3lr4/UKK40730CNI/AAAAAAAADwY/FbwC2TCBb8U/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PTj-vKi3lr4/UKK40730CNI/AAAAAAAADwY/FbwC2TCBb8U/s320/photo+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>2nd camping trip (with unexpected weather)...</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zSsTJDcRTc0/UKK46Hy5KuI/AAAAAAAADwg/odyhdAae3W0/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zSsTJDcRTc0/UKK46Hy5KuI/AAAAAAAADwg/odyhdAae3W0/s320/photo+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Grizzly endurance ride (our first)...</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pLlB2Vh7uYM/UKK4-2Atv2I/AAAAAAAADwo/hDa5zJ94xUk/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pLlB2Vh7uYM/UKK4-2Atv2I/AAAAAAAADwo/hDa5zJ94xUk/s320/photo+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Tired, but finished in the Top 10...</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LFFpuVniXMQ/UKK8bNwlT-I/AAAAAAAAD2Q/0vAA1m1tKkA/s1600/08+Tired+Pair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LFFpuVniXMQ/UKK8bNwlT-I/AAAAAAAAD2Q/0vAA1m1tKkA/s320/08+Tired+Pair.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<i>First bachelor/bachelorette party...</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gc5iVVg-h_o/UKK5CetSGTI/AAAAAAAADww/bYtrI9ZgMPU/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gc5iVVg-h_o/UKK5CetSGTI/AAAAAAAADww/bYtrI9ZgMPU/s320/photo+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Dressed to party in my requisite "flair"...</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2UOQTj64ozw/UKK5HRVRjbI/AAAAAAAADw4/Eg8e7oCcQec/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2UOQTj64ozw/UKK5HRVRjbI/AAAAAAAADw4/Eg8e7oCcQec/s320/photo+2.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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<i>Enjoying the river...</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OQ5SpkOGSFo/UKK5MVgOC3I/AAAAAAAADxA/phUSz2mem3s/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OQ5SpkOGSFo/UKK5MVgOC3I/AAAAAAAADxA/phUSz2mem3s/s320/photo+3.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<i>Prineville endurance ride (2nd ride of the year)...</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0A2nngl8X6k/UKK5RZhwuHI/AAAAAAAADxI/5yRLfLwyyhw/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0A2nngl8X6k/UKK5RZhwuHI/AAAAAAAADxI/5yRLfLwyyhw/s320/photo+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Finally the finish line...</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZXtfJVv5wPk/UKK5S39L67I/AAAAAAAADxQ/BmdnAU5uFKo/s1600/photo+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZXtfJVv5wPk/UKK5S39L67I/AAAAAAAADxQ/BmdnAU5uFKo/s320/photo+5.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Everyone in good spirits...</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3RO_tUtx2Mw/UKK8gz6RosI/AAAAAAAAD2Y/lMIgjhG6VOk/s1600/Sharalyn+Hay+and+Flash+Pic+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3RO_tUtx2Mw/UKK8gz6RosI/AAAAAAAAD2Y/lMIgjhG6VOk/s320/Sharalyn+Hay+and+Flash+Pic+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Hangin' with the pups...</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jKo3hVa9FRc/UKK8h8C4YmI/AAAAAAAAD2g/4DREzl7X2kM/s1600/Sharalyn+Hay,+Noel+and+Daisy+Pic+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jKo3hVa9FRc/UKK8h8C4YmI/AAAAAAAAD2g/4DREzl7X2kM/s320/Sharalyn+Hay,+Noel+and+Daisy+Pic+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Black Butte hike...</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ixTQ_ABeBds/UKK5egDn-OI/AAAAAAAADxg/2_ndFbjh3H4/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ixTQ_ABeBds/UKK5egDn-OI/AAAAAAAADxg/2_ndFbjh3H4/s320/photo+4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>2nd Bachelorette party in Vegas...</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1TRlZ4XQodU/UKK5lkguUMI/AAAAAAAADxo/Ue3bkVW3fgA/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1TRlZ4XQodU/UKK5lkguUMI/AAAAAAAADxo/Ue3bkVW3fgA/s320/photo+2.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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<i>Kayaking on the Colorado River...</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qLl2Z_BvQog/UKK7_x4f0OI/AAAAAAAAD1Y/v2ckt_SXpvk/s1600/DSC00704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qLl2Z_BvQog/UKK7_x4f0OI/AAAAAAAAD1Y/v2ckt_SXpvk/s320/DSC00704.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uJ5yGV0nTts/UKK8B-wiTcI/AAAAAAAAD1g/r12EOzh_o_E/s1600/DSC00708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uJ5yGV0nTts/UKK8B-wiTcI/AAAAAAAAD1g/r12EOzh_o_E/s320/DSC00708.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Lost Lake...</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gwl-hL9SW7s/UKK5X6jJKLI/AAAAAAAADxY/XOzWMU0ilTo/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gwl-hL9SW7s/UKK5X6jJKLI/AAAAAAAADxY/XOzWMU0ilTo/s320/photo+4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Injured finger from trying to fix the camper...</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2XujomLBBLo/UKK5qpo-sXI/AAAAAAAADxw/BteeJyrdvDE/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2XujomLBBLo/UKK5qpo-sXI/AAAAAAAADxw/BteeJyrdvDE/s320/photo+1.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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<i>Ride camp at Sunriver endurance ride (3rd ride)...</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PyA94LEdWtk/UKK52XNYxQI/AAAAAAAADx4/rue2cadaVBQ/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PyA94LEdWtk/UKK52XNYxQI/AAAAAAAADx4/rue2cadaVBQ/s320/photo+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>A budding bromance...</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MmfSxql7lrc/UKK58MFRjOI/AAAAAAAADyA/lLiPinJdJig/s1600/photo+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MmfSxql7lrc/UKK58MFRjOI/AAAAAAAADyA/lLiPinJdJig/s320/photo+5.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Finishing my first 50 of 2012...</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Rod87q5wt8/UKK9QLa-ykI/AAAAAAAAD3I/zYFZOiZuOdQ/s1600/52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Rod87q5wt8/UKK9QLa-ykI/AAAAAAAAD3I/zYFZOiZuOdQ/s320/52.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Hangin' with my twin...</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rmiOC8uu4nE/UKK6D3Yc2dI/AAAAAAAADyI/c5myzxAWLVw/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rmiOC8uu4nE/UKK6D3Yc2dI/AAAAAAAADyI/c5myzxAWLVw/s320/photo+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>My twin on Storm...</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pCVFSK3fjXw/UKK6FJ1TasI/AAAAAAAADyQ/Lubc-cmIyJo/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pCVFSK3fjXw/UKK6FJ1TasI/AAAAAAAADyQ/Lubc-cmIyJo/s320/photo+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Rebel and the Marshmallow...</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3bgDOf91OLk/UKK6JisqmII/AAAAAAAADyY/CWOd16dD2zo/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3bgDOf91OLk/UKK6JisqmII/AAAAAAAADyY/CWOd16dD2zo/s320/photo+4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DDp5XeUVfvk/UKK6LV7vt6I/AAAAAAAADyg/WlEMohm8POw/s1600/photo+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DDp5XeUVfvk/UKK6LV7vt6I/AAAAAAAADyg/WlEMohm8POw/s320/photo+5.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SAroa6VeFjU/UKK6SW1LQuI/AAAAAAAADyo/lH7ImnRq9rc/s1600/photo+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SAroa6VeFjU/UKK6SW1LQuI/AAAAAAAADyo/lH7ImnRq9rc/s320/photo+5.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Stemming the leak...</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oQ2UnTWNljc/UKK6Y8OorWI/AAAAAAAADyw/3qBBi1kl5YA/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oQ2UnTWNljc/UKK6Y8OorWI/AAAAAAAADyw/3qBBi1kl5YA/s320/photo+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Decisions, decisions...</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJfD0fkYnKk/UKK6ed7ejLI/AAAAAAAADy4/EKSwpLZqBns/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJfD0fkYnKk/UKK6ed7ejLI/AAAAAAAADy4/EKSwpLZqBns/s320/photo+4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>A giraffe almost sitting on the car...</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ywk4pzagVn8/UKK6oHmx0DI/AAAAAAAADzI/Aq-QdwGUTA0/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ywk4pzagVn8/UKK6oHmx0DI/AAAAAAAADzI/Aq-QdwGUTA0/s320/photo+1.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oNSUfkRRoYQ/UKK6j9EizDI/AAAAAAAADzA/BNOIf-05s-w/s1600/photo+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oNSUfkRRoYQ/UKK6j9EizDI/AAAAAAAADzA/BNOIf-05s-w/s320/photo+5.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Pegleg falls...</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7eXYERy7UZc/UKK6wAbxxtI/AAAAAAAADzQ/HumdaZyAnVI/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7eXYERy7UZc/UKK6wAbxxtI/AAAAAAAADzQ/HumdaZyAnVI/s320/photo+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DgDR9kVUEwE/UKK62oQuZRI/AAAAAAAADzY/yCY-yeDCxzg/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DgDR9kVUEwE/UKK62oQuZRI/AAAAAAAADzY/yCY-yeDCxzg/s320/photo+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5VW-21REyvA/UKK64B4xs1I/AAAAAAAADzg/87f_X1m7ZVA/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5VW-21REyvA/UKK64B4xs1I/AAAAAAAADzg/87f_X1m7ZVA/s320/photo+4.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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<i>Top of the mountain of Mt. Hood Ntl Forest...</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TG0tEnndfOY/UKK6-vn1SJI/AAAAAAAADzo/3FKNCLyDgUY/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TG0tEnndfOY/UKK6-vn1SJI/AAAAAAAADzo/3FKNCLyDgUY/s320/photo+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>A tuckered out Daisy...</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9yn53sAJRS8/UKK6_05rbGI/AAAAAAAADzw/902deqgubSQ/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9yn53sAJRS8/UKK6_05rbGI/AAAAAAAADzw/902deqgubSQ/s320/photo+4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Some random creek...</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YhvzYENFvg0/UKK7Esr8XTI/AAAAAAAADz4/BByPauMp2jg/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YhvzYENFvg0/UKK7Esr8XTI/AAAAAAAADz4/BByPauMp2jg/s320/photo+4.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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<i>Exploring with the pups...</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZdZeTjZgQes/UKK7ImQ_CGI/AAAAAAAAD0A/nSscwczB_4Q/s1600/photo+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZdZeTjZgQes/UKK7ImQ_CGI/AAAAAAAAD0A/nSscwczB_4Q/s320/photo+5.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Who doesn't want to ride in a wagon?</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eQL0QsXMQ0U/UKK7RnWlwJI/AAAAAAAAD0I/41Yw1Fhrw80/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eQL0QsXMQ0U/UKK7RnWlwJI/AAAAAAAAD0I/41Yw1Fhrw80/s320/photo+2.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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<i>Sunset over the Ochocos...</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X5kEU9brVKk/UKK7UnLw6uI/AAAAAAAAD0Q/d5vihUpXP0c/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X5kEU9brVKk/UKK7UnLw6uI/AAAAAAAAD0Q/d5vihUpXP0c/s320/photo+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Looking down at ride camp at Bandit Springs (ride #4)...</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DArhJ3MlbLc/UKK7aGK2MqI/AAAAAAAAD0Y/w3AmS1evfDg/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DArhJ3MlbLc/UKK7aGK2MqI/AAAAAAAAD0Y/w3AmS1evfDg/s320/photo+4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gdCQ5fWjGRg/UKK7eAQEgqI/AAAAAAAAD0g/iMEX0CoA_6g/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gdCQ5fWjGRg/UKK7eAQEgqI/AAAAAAAAD0g/iMEX0CoA_6g/s320/photo+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Wild mustang...</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FCJ718sZGk0/UKK7ey28BCI/AAAAAAAAD0o/kt_EeUcJHI4/s1600/photo+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FCJ718sZGk0/UKK7ey28BCI/AAAAAAAAD0o/kt_EeUcJHI4/s320/photo+5.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Heading out on the Bandit Springs 25...</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-klTTnGZaNWQ/UKK4padKO6I/AAAAAAAADwA/OdJgtVVyQUo/s1600/Sharalyn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-klTTnGZaNWQ/UKK4padKO6I/AAAAAAAADwA/OdJgtVVyQUo/s320/Sharalyn.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Caves...</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hzOCV0dnbAE/UKK7m2Zmz7I/AAAAAAAAD0w/AiPjoMUfSyg/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hzOCV0dnbAE/UKK7m2Zmz7I/AAAAAAAAD0w/AiPjoMUfSyg/s320/photo+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Lava cast forest...</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OBiaQ1ik-wE/UKK7odbHLPI/AAAAAAAAD04/uJz5lAqdkWM/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OBiaQ1ik-wE/UKK7odbHLPI/AAAAAAAAD04/uJz5lAqdkWM/s320/photo+4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Lava Butte...</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eliXqhzofoQ/UKK7sP5AeWI/AAAAAAAAD1A/kNFmtG7ekwM/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eliXqhzofoQ/UKK7sP5AeWI/AAAAAAAAD1A/kNFmtG7ekwM/s320/photo+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Emerald Bay in Tahoe...</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H4LsNOH3v4s/UKK8QEYUD9I/AAAAAAAAD1o/6SNTfsdUrSg/s1600/photo+1+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H4LsNOH3v4s/UKK8QEYUD9I/AAAAAAAAD1o/6SNTfsdUrSg/s320/photo+1+(3).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_VtsZIqQ4IQ/UKK8SAQuz1I/AAAAAAAAD1w/muaJE3tpeNw/s1600/photo+2+(5).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_VtsZIqQ4IQ/UKK8SAQuz1I/AAAAAAAAD1w/muaJE3tpeNw/s320/photo+2+(5).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nv3lgZbnAzA/UKK8UI3wgsI/AAAAAAAAD14/XRzqbklH6FQ/s1600/photo+3+(5).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nv3lgZbnAzA/UKK8UI3wgsI/AAAAAAAAD14/XRzqbklH6FQ/s320/photo+3+(5).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Happy kayakers...</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kAaR77sZ7vs/UKK8UrasErI/AAAAAAAAD2A/KWA524KaAUM/s1600/photo+4+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kAaR77sZ7vs/UKK8UrasErI/AAAAAAAAD2A/KWA524KaAUM/s320/photo+4+(2).JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CvexibVV9Qs/UKK8WRmtpvI/AAAAAAAAD2I/aiUpnfM8SLw/s1600/photo+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CvexibVV9Qs/UKK8WRmtpvI/AAAAAAAAD2I/aiUpnfM8SLw/s320/photo+5.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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<i>Reno...</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nmc0xxvcATE/UKK8usL3gUI/AAAAAAAAD2o/TwedZdNKPJs/s1600/photo+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nmc0xxvcATE/UKK8usL3gUI/AAAAAAAAD2o/TwedZdNKPJs/s320/photo+5.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-83RlNjEPY-A/UKK8183zT1I/AAAAAAAAD2w/efIkMREhQ5g/s1600/photo+2+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-83RlNjEPY-A/UKK8183zT1I/AAAAAAAAD2w/efIkMREhQ5g/s320/photo+2+(2).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fvfe8sJvLCs/UKK87wW_E6I/AAAAAAAAD24/120uEFQf6VI/s1600/photo+5+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fvfe8sJvLCs/UKK87wW_E6I/AAAAAAAAD24/120uEFQf6VI/s320/photo+5+(3).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>At the wedding...</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nwl84YftrKg/UKK9BSvakOI/AAAAAAAAD3A/LFng8npCuig/s1600/photo+5+(6).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nwl84YftrKg/UKK9BSvakOI/AAAAAAAAD3A/LFng8npCuig/s320/photo+5+(6).JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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<i>Pacific Crest ride (ride #5)...</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tDI5AGLghLk/UKK7wQRn5UI/AAAAAAAAD1I/mREDZkc2_EA/s1600/photo+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tDI5AGLghLk/UKK7wQRn5UI/AAAAAAAAD1I/mREDZkc2_EA/s320/photo+5.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Riding with Honey...</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gQwH8w_cnJc/UKK7zlYFAFI/AAAAAAAAD1Q/JUxnmkd6-rM/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gQwH8w_cnJc/UKK7zlYFAFI/AAAAAAAAD1Q/JUxnmkd6-rM/s320/photo+3.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<i>Birthday trip with the girls...</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Cm9cn4aBc5M/UKK-bzgh_VI/AAAAAAAAD4A/qd3fL3WSbdo/s1600/photo+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Cm9cn4aBc5M/UKK-bzgh_VI/AAAAAAAAD4A/qd3fL3WSbdo/s320/photo+5.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Cool birthday hat and pretty Sparkle Pony...</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NStMGK-dzmY/UKK9QmaTlQI/AAAAAAAAD3Q/1zMx_2IXiYA/s1600/8088858515_122582380b_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NStMGK-dzmY/UKK9QmaTlQI/AAAAAAAAD3Q/1zMx_2IXiYA/s320/8088858515_122582380b_o.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<i>All dressed up to party...</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EK2NjIVI9Cg/UKK-rrgk4NI/AAAAAAAAD4I/xcYG_3C_1Gg/s1600/07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EK2NjIVI9Cg/UKK-rrgk4NI/AAAAAAAAD4I/xcYG_3C_1Gg/s320/07.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here's hoping the next year together is just as good...</div>
SweetPeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01762714976706163036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973970198055215844.post-38844032159526244952012-11-12T13:20:00.000-08:002012-11-13T09:16:44.610-08:00Let it snow...I've given up trying to blog about my 40th birthday.<br />
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The short version of my actually birthday is: Woke up, got a nice card, got a sweet Blu-Ray player that streams Netflix and Hulu+ from Rebel, went to the Pumpkin Patch, went to a movie, went to the Fun Center, and then had a great dinner with Rebel, Honey and DT. Rebel did a great job of making sure I had a good 40th. Unfortunately I have no pics from this day. At all.<br />
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*yes, I suck*<br />
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If you want to read about the weekend following my birthday where I enacted the words "falling down drunk", Bow did a good job of <a href="http://yougottastart.blogspot.com/2012/10/happy-birthday-sweetpea.html" target="_blank">summing it up here</a>... although she kindly left out the part when I fell down after dinner. Meh... gotta make it memorable somehow, yes?<br />
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This weekend we got the first real snow of the year. When Rebel and I woke up on Saturday there was an inch or so on the ground. We decided to pack up the dogs and go for a drive to Kah-Nee-Tah and then to Maupin.<br />
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<i>Trying to get the perfect pic of me and the pups.</i></div>
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<i>Not as easy as it looks...</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YqbWF5cyJFA/UKFjg_NoTxI/AAAAAAAADs8/vaeVla8GLkA/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YqbWF5cyJFA/UKFjg_NoTxI/AAAAAAAADs8/vaeVla8GLkA/s320/photo+2.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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<i>Not quite...</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X5hVVg1BYHA/UKFji0JF6KI/AAAAAAAADtE/J2Cd-OL_vyQ/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X5hVVg1BYHA/UKFji0JF6KI/AAAAAAAADtE/J2Cd-OL_vyQ/s320/photo+3.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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<i>Missing a dog nose...</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iDIb47y_V_w/UKFjktyrEbI/AAAAAAAADtM/Y1t3je1gvmg/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iDIb47y_V_w/UKFjktyrEbI/AAAAAAAADtM/Y1t3je1gvmg/s320/photo+4.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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<i>Where did Daisy go?</i></div>
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<i>And why is the Marshmallow licking her chops?</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eb9LY98-Res/UKFje2T_EPI/AAAAAAAADs0/mHEFXvYlSZE/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eb9LY98-Res/UKFje2T_EPI/AAAAAAAADs0/mHEFXvYlSZE/s320/photo+1.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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<i>As good as it gets, I guess...</i></div>
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<i>Decent pic of Rebel...</i></div>
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<i>(not so much of Daisy)</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rtO_cxkH9ao/UKFkSFdMTBI/AAAAAAAADt0/SOmYoCBC9Mw/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rtO_cxkH9ao/UKFkSFdMTBI/AAAAAAAADt0/SOmYoCBC9Mw/s320/photo+4.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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<i>Cool rock formations by Warm Springs...</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P-21MGgwJ3g/UKFkQMj_gGI/AAAAAAAADts/3Al40hjkPR0/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P-21MGgwJ3g/UKFkQMj_gGI/AAAAAAAADts/3Al40hjkPR0/s320/photo+3.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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<i>The Marshmallow looking confused...</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mEFTJH7-zBI/UKFkT00Xp-I/AAAAAAAADt8/XNNWPhfykPw/s1600/photo+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mEFTJH7-zBI/UKFkT00Xp-I/AAAAAAAADt8/XNNWPhfykPw/s320/photo+5.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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On the way home, we were treated to some very interesting clouds and cloud formations...</div>
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<i>Ominous clouds...</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9ft51ECXp_E/UKFjU0qnw1I/AAAAAAAADsU/_VGB7dji5zo/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9ft51ECXp_E/UKFjU0qnw1I/AAAAAAAADsU/_VGB7dji5zo/s320/photo+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Storm clouds...</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y7_ZMPAh2-M/UKFjWCrTrmI/AAAAAAAADsc/jNK_YubsvhA/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y7_ZMPAh2-M/UKFjWCrTrmI/AAAAAAAADsc/jNK_YubsvhA/s320/photo+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Snow starting to fall...</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5-tug0ABUr4/UKFjXQ-x64I/AAAAAAAADsk/PaIPyyUZdNU/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5-tug0ABUr4/UKFjXQ-x64I/AAAAAAAADsk/PaIPyyUZdNU/s320/photo+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Blue sky meets snow cloud...</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0GxM48_fBUI/UKFjZsok8PI/AAAAAAAADss/9nmoJ-E1srQ/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0GxM48_fBUI/UKFjZsok8PI/AAAAAAAADss/9nmoJ-E1srQ/s320/photo+4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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It was pretty cool watching the snow clouds roll in. On Sunday, we moved horses and went and saw the movie Loopers. I finally got to see the end of it after missing it in San Diego due to stomach issues. The first half of the movie was great... second half was more meh than wow. But a good movie, all in all.</div>
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And just in case you were wondering how Rebel was healing up after his run-in with the cutting wheel that spontaneously combusted, here are the before and after pics...</div>
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<i>Before...</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qJvExwX2Nu0/UGMl0kpwN5I/AAAAAAAADlM/boEP_ZScd2M/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qJvExwX2Nu0/UGMl0kpwN5I/AAAAAAAADlM/boEP_ZScd2M/s1600/photo+3.JPG" /></a></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>After...</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-42IGrLw0ODc/UKFkM4kpvAI/AAAAAAAADtc/nxyKiPYCiOg/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-42IGrLw0ODc/UKFkM4kpvAI/AAAAAAAADtc/nxyKiPYCiOg/s320/photo+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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He's healing up quite nicely. Now if I can just convince him not to take on things like that we'll be good...</div>
SweetPeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01762714976706163036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973970198055215844.post-20909128558201674302012-11-07T09:48:00.002-08:002012-11-07T09:50:58.863-08:00Oh, politics. How I hate thee...I was hoping that by today all the political rantings and ravings that I've had to endure for <i>months </i>was finally at an end.<br />
<br />
*snort*<br />
<br />
How naive I am.<br />
<br />
In fact, it's just <i>really </i>getting started. The peeps that wanted Obama can't stop gloating. The peeps that wanted Romney can't stop crying about all of the horrible things that are going to happen because he didn't win... oh, and how stupid all the other idiots are for not voting for their guy.<br />
<br />
Seriously. I would quote actual posts, but I think some of these people actually read this blog.<br />
<br />
So. When will this nonsense end? I'm tired. I'm worn out. I'm completely over it.<br />
<br />
May I offer this humble piece of advice from the rest of us who don't feel the need to go on endlessly about our own political affiliations...<br />
<br />
ENOUGH ALREADY.<br />
<br />
*translation: shut the fuck up. please*<br />
<br />
This public service announcement is now over. Continue on with your day...SweetPeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01762714976706163036noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973970198055215844.post-44813031650701251262012-11-05T13:34:00.002-08:002012-11-06T10:11:34.511-08:00Another fungus among us...First it was Flash's turn. Some weird thing on his back that came out of nowhere and stuck around for much longer than it needed to.<br />
<br />
Last week it was my turn (apparently) to break out in some weird skin thingy.<br />
<br />
*like I really needed another thing to deal with right after moving... but whatever, universe*<br />
<br />
It started last Monday. I had an itch. It wasn't a major itch. It was just, you know, an itch. Behind my ear. And then behind my other ear, too. And as the day wore on, it got more itchy. And then red. And then bumpy. Oh crap. We all know that red, itchy, <i>bumpy </i>skin is not good. Not good<i> at all</i>.<br />
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<i>Um, what the hell? This can't be good...</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-35oj9_wZjKU/UJgsC3CF6KI/AAAAAAAADrA/fmKRzTXeLQQ/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-35oj9_wZjKU/UJgsC3CF6KI/AAAAAAAADrA/fmKRzTXeLQQ/s320/photo+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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On Tuesday, it got worse. And the bumps and itchiness started to move down my neck and onto my chest. By about 3pm I was over it. Time for a visit to urgent care... bank account be damned. After asking me questions about what I had changed (nothing) and what I had done over the weekend (been hot tubbing) it was decided that who the hell knows what caused it but, here, have some steroids. Would you like that in a shot or by pill?</div>
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*as if there's even a choice*</div>
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So, I dutifully marched my way into Walmart and got the steroids. I started them that night.</div>
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Update: apparently I don't do steroids. In any fashion. Good to know. I can now add that on to the list with no caffeine and no latex. But pass the peanuts... not a problem-o.</div>
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I was sick all night that night and into the next day. Needless to say, I didn't go to work. </div>
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But I was still quite a mess so I went back to the clinic on Thursday morning and got a anti-histamine shot. First of all, ouch!! Damn those things hurt. And second, the warning that I may be a tad drowsy really didn't do it justice. I basically passed out for 12 hours on Thursday. So, another day of work gone.</div>
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Also, I was becoming a veritable science experiment in what helps itchy, red bumps not itch <i>so damn much</i>. At one point I had 2% hydrocortizone on one side of my chest, Neosporin on the other side, Vagisil behind one ear and Preparation-H cooling gel behind the other. </div>
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*look, when you're itching that much if it says anti-itch anywhere on the package you're going to give it a try... regardless of what body part it was <i>originally </i>meant for*</div>
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The Preparation-H won out. I think it's because it had Witch Hazel in it (which I then went and bought and basically bathed in for a few days).</div>
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Over this past weekend, things calmed down and today I'm looking and feeling quite normal... well, normal for me, anyway.</div>
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So, now I will be able to blog about something <i>other </i>than itching. Yay, me. And I bet you can hardly wait...</div>
SweetPeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01762714976706163036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973970198055215844.post-24490693717030251832012-10-24T14:33:00.000-07:002012-10-24T14:33:43.561-07:00Back on the wagon...OK... I've been totally MIA lately and I'm sorry. As a provider of (mostly) interesting and (for the most part) timely blog content, I have completely failed you in the last month.<br />
<br />
I mean, c'mon... 1 blog post in October? WTF?!? Totally unacceptable.<br />
<br />
And you are right, my friends. It's time for me to start writing regularly again. Consider it done.<br />
<br />
See? Right now you are getting a quality(ish) post about all the crazy shit I've been up to lately. And it's been a lot. There was the trip to San Diego with Flip Flop to see Booboo and Graham. And then there was my crazy birthday. And then there was my crazy birthday <i>party</i>. And then there was the move...<br />
<br />
Actually... let's not talk about the move. I haven't come to grips with it just yet, and as I stumble around all the boxes laying around the house I mostly just want to curl up in the fetal position and cry.<br />
<br />
*sniffle*<br />
<br />
Of course, the tears could be the product of the fact that I keep ramming my big toe into all the boxes laying around the house. Tough to say...<br />
<br />
So let's break this down into bite-size pieces, shall we? First up: San Diego. In pictures.<br />
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<i>Look, ma. Leg room. You don't see that every day on a plane...</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wnHhF_zLgyY/UIhZNvC6JjI/AAAAAAAADmo/OI3wnTMP6t0/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wnHhF_zLgyY/UIhZNvC6JjI/AAAAAAAADmo/OI3wnTMP6t0/s320/photo+1.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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<i>Um, I think we get our luggage here. But dang, that's a lot of peeps...</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OzMeCmf9O3A/UIhZOwi_IYI/AAAAAAAADmw/XnayVXAaGoU/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OzMeCmf9O3A/UIhZOwi_IYI/AAAAAAAADmw/XnayVXAaGoU/s320/photo+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>The view from our breakfast place. Check out the weather...</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3AaSoU8ihQE/UIhZQPRvkCI/AAAAAAAADm4/6_eldHEZXcU/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3AaSoU8ihQE/UIhZQPRvkCI/AAAAAAAADm4/6_eldHEZXcU/s320/photo+3.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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<i>My $3 hat. Gotta love the swap meet...</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5-0gNi17U14/UIhZQ-jstTI/AAAAAAAADnA/a_koQ_iCDLw/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5-0gNi17U14/UIhZQ-jstTI/AAAAAAAADnA/a_koQ_iCDLw/s320/photo+4.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<i>Flip Flop, me and Booboo at the Hotel Del Coronado...</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ywusIW01AH4/UIhZSWut_iI/AAAAAAAADnI/WcAytz7nWHo/s1600/photo+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ywusIW01AH4/UIhZSWut_iI/AAAAAAAADnI/WcAytz7nWHo/s320/photo+5.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>How cool is this place?</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-diy2SWCO--0/UIhaLklH-UI/AAAAAAAADnQ/O5YaKeARQ8g/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-diy2SWCO--0/UIhaLklH-UI/AAAAAAAADnQ/O5YaKeARQ8g/s320/photo+1.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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<i>Answer: very cool!!</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4mg5nz3a3II/UIhaOU-2HVI/AAAAAAAADng/gsFaogZDdVI/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4mg5nz3a3II/UIhaOU-2HVI/AAAAAAAADng/gsFaogZDdVI/s320/photo+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>With an amazing sandcastle just out front, too...</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZCUeuVWtM2g/UIhaPtYmsZI/AAAAAAAADno/4E-frjFMsBQ/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZCUeuVWtM2g/UIhaPtYmsZI/AAAAAAAADno/4E-frjFMsBQ/s320/photo+4.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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<i>Aren't we adorable?</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZkvKp-6fG7Q/UIhaQfyraqI/AAAAAAAADnw/lJCvnOLxIuc/s1600/photo+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZkvKp-6fG7Q/UIhaQfyraqI/AAAAAAAADnw/lJCvnOLxIuc/s320/photo+5.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>And amazing weather...</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1sN6nadeFw8/UIhaNNM3BvI/AAAAAAAADnY/EVCApiszrFo/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1sN6nadeFw8/UIhaNNM3BvI/AAAAAAAADnY/EVCApiszrFo/s320/photo+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Checking out the tide pools...</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Igoyo5dfxG8/UIhbZPPwvnI/AAAAAAAADoI/AjrZOf3S8GQ/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Igoyo5dfxG8/UIhbZPPwvnI/AAAAAAAADoI/AjrZOf3S8GQ/s320/photo+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>A romantic walk down the beach...</i></div>
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<i>(and an inconveniently placed finger)</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MNyht0vIMrE/UIhbcQS6LkI/AAAAAAAADoY/mBfre3l-GCc/s1600/photo+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MNyht0vIMrE/UIhbcQS6LkI/AAAAAAAADoY/mBfre3l-GCc/s320/photo+5.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>The coolest trail to the beach...</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3quDldqoW14/UIhbWD9S1AI/AAAAAAAADn4/SPPTwOisd6w/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3quDldqoW14/UIhbWD9S1AI/AAAAAAAADn4/SPPTwOisd6w/s320/photo+1.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Man, I miss living at the ocean...</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kl6KyXXhE7c/UIhbX4GwUpI/AAAAAAAADoA/Vko2bopw54w/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kl6KyXXhE7c/UIhbX4GwUpI/AAAAAAAADoA/Vko2bopw54w/s320/photo+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Checking out the cool things...</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iVvFjw97u3w/UIhba4QJdXI/AAAAAAAADoQ/l1ZNMRuy1WA/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iVvFjw97u3w/UIhba4QJdXI/AAAAAAAADoQ/l1ZNMRuy1WA/s320/photo+4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i>Butts on the beach...</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cd3Gqtux3oI/UIhcHUodOiI/AAAAAAAADog/h2vA65FGCFk/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cd3Gqtux3oI/UIhcHUodOiI/AAAAAAAADog/h2vA65FGCFk/s320/photo+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>The lighthouse...</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6PXy5i1KFyI/UIhcIbrVABI/AAAAAAAADoo/tujbW9jjTrU/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6PXy5i1KFyI/UIhcIbrVABI/AAAAAAAADoo/tujbW9jjTrU/s320/photo+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>View from the dinner spot: Joe's Crab Shack...</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4Ota08cPYX0/UIhcJgCHrrI/AAAAAAAADow/BHFCdHEn15c/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4Ota08cPYX0/UIhcJgCHrrI/AAAAAAAADow/BHFCdHEn15c/s320/photo+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Bibs on and ready to do battle...</i></div>
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<i>Now that is what I call dinner!!</i></div>
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<i>Brooklyn after bath time...</i></div>
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<i>The San Diego Zoo flamingos...</i></div>
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<i>Just monkeying around...</i></div>
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The highlight of that trip was for sure the San Diego Zoo. Graham's company had a deal where it was just company folk after 5pm and you could do all the cool stuff for free. Amazing. And if you're ever in the area I highly recommend it. I think Flip Flop and I did the Skyfari at least 4 times... it was awesome.</div>
SweetPeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01762714976706163036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973970198055215844.post-27991853558524254782012-10-15T10:15:00.004-07:002012-10-15T10:15:40.073-07:00Preview...It was a good (and bad) weekend. I had a great time in San Diego. <i>And </i>I turned 40. I have lots to write about and I'll get to it... eventually.<br />
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I promise. No really. I do.SweetPeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01762714976706163036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973970198055215844.post-33252794251101538832012-09-26T09:02:00.002-07:002012-09-26T10:32:31.031-07:00Rebel vs. The Cutting Wheel (hint: Rebel didn't win)I sometimes seriously hate living 2 hours away from Rebel. Because when I get pictures like this sent to me I would prefer to be able to check this shit out in person...<br />
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<i>Holymotherofgod... you're texting me from the hospital right?</i></div>
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<i>Call me crazy, but I'm pretty sure that's gonna leave a mark...</i></div>
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<i>You're not at the hospital? How? Why? What the...? Oh, never mind...</i></div>
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The text that proceeded the pics said something to the effect that he'd had a sucky day and that his arm was a little sore. No shit? I'm glad you still have an arm, babe. Seriously. </div>
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He assures me they are all under a 1/2" deep. I'm pretty sure most doctors are stitching that shit up after just a few centimeters... but I can understand about not wanting stitches. I feel the same way. However, I'm feeling like we need to have the "when was your last tetanus shot?" discussion and the "if you're not going to the hospital then at least super glue that shit shut after copious amounts of cleaning" convo.<br />
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*gag* </div>
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Glad he's OK and that all of his limbs (and digits) are still present and accounted for. But seriously, stop picking fights with things that are going to kick your ass. Just sayin'...</div>
SweetPeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01762714976706163036noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973970198055215844.post-5073896197124881992012-09-25T12:03:00.002-07:002012-09-25T12:14:40.419-07:00Seven, Day 1...The pony got a new name yesterday. Hanna's hubbie saw a picture of him and called him Seven. It really seems to fit his personality... 7 is the number of infinity and he seems to have infinite possibilities. The number 7 also represents the 7-headed snake in biblical mythology and I'm pretty sure I saw all 7 last night (loving, bratty, inquisitive, pushy, tentative, obedient and indifferent). Yup... definitely a good name for this guy.<br />
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So, not to be one to waste time I decided to pull Seven out of his pen last night and saddle him up and pony him off of Flash. I figured this would give me a good idea of what I'm really dealing with as far as where the training gaps are. He has the Parelli stuff down when in an environment he knows, but I needed to see what I'm up against when faced with a lot of new things (because endurance racing is nothing but a whole lot of new things over and over and over again... new places, new horses, new trails, new obstacles, etc).<br />
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I tied him to the trailer next to Flash and began my saddling ritual... groom, pick feet, saddle up and go. He did fine on the grooming part. We had to do some work on the feet part. He tried to snatch his feet away from me so we just worked through it and in no time I had all 4 feet picked out. Then I introduced him to fly spray. This did not go well... but I just kept spraying until he stood still... then I stopped. And then I repeated what I was doing. He wasn't thrilled by the end but he did get the general idea. Then it was saddle time. He had no problem with this at all... but I did take off the breast collar and the stirrups for our first trip out.<br />
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<i>This saddle stuff is easy...</i></div>
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<i>Just keep that fly spray away from me...</i></div>
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We did have a small problem with patience while standing tied. That lesson will come. Flash kept trying to tell him not to fret, but Seven wasn't really listening. And I just ignored him until he was standing nicely... <i>then </i>I gave him a ton of praise. I will say he was a tad amped up after the fly spray, but that's fine. He needs to learn to work through new things without having a melt-down. This will just be one of many lessons to come.<br />
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Then it was time to head off to the trails. Flash was a saint and put up with Seven crashing into him every time he saw something scary (which was <i>all </i>the time... sheesh). I finally took my foot out of the stirrup and he got a boot toe in the side every time he invaded our space. Not sure he was grasping the concept, but it was getting better towards the end. He was a very forward horse, which is good. However, his default response to scary stuff was to bolt. Not good. Need to make sure that there are <i>very </i>good brakes before we go venturing out on our own.<br />
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He handled the hills pretty well, picking his way carefully down. However, when it came to crossing the road we had a bit of a mishap. I wasn't really paying attention and didn't realize that he was having serious issues with the<i> big, white, scary stripe of death</i> on the road. Seven took one look at that and hurled himself over the line. Bonus: he jumps quite nicely. But we had to go back across the <i>big, white, scary stripe of death </i>several times before he would just nicely step over it. And the last time he actually even stepped <i>on </i>it. Good boy.<br />
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He also handled other horses running and bucking in their pasture next to the trail like a champ. He stopped and checked them out and was content to just stand. Good boy. However, he was not a fan of the dogs stopping to check stuff out on the side of the trail and then come up behind him and pass...<br />
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<i>Why does that fluffy marshmallow feel the need to be behind me?</i></div>
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<i>Seven: You'll protect me right?</i></div>
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<i>Flash: Get off me dude...</i></div>
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Flash was pretty forgiving of Seven through most of the ride, although he did give him cranky ears a few times to tell him to get out of his bubble. And Seven is very bad at yielding to pressure while being ponied. Definitely need to do some work there. But overall, he did pretty well considering.</div>
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However, when we got back to the trailer he had another blow-up. I tied him to the back of the trailer instead of to the side where Flash was (because he can paw to his heart's content back there and I don't care). Seven decided he didn't like that and started acting like a toddler who was told that they couldn't have that piece of candy. It was quite funny actually. I remember Flash pulling those same antics. And Seven learned last night what Flash learned when he was young... asshole horses stand tied to the trailer until they aren't acting like assholes anymore. </div>
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You could actually see the hamster running in his little noggin... he just couldn't figure out why I wasn't running to correct him, sooth him, whatever. Finally after about 15 minutes he decided to just stand there, at which point I walked up to him and began giving him some love. But he's going to get tied to the trailer by himself for a while every night. And if he's good it'll be a quick grooming session, some love and back to the pen. If he's a jerk, then he'll stay tied until he's not a jerk anymore. It only took Flash a few times to figure out that it's just not worth it. I'm pretty sure that Seven will be the same. Good horse gets love. Bad horse gets ignored. Simple as that...</div>
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I think this is going to be a fun training project. And it'll be a good reminder for when I get Goodwin going too...</div>
SweetPeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01762714976706163036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973970198055215844.post-47785693266375270752012-09-24T15:03:00.000-07:002012-09-24T15:03:32.333-07:00The new pony...Let me just say that yesterday was a <i>loooong</i> day. Long.<br />
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It was an 11 hour turn-and-burn trip to pick up the new horse in Ridgefield, WA. Mags decided to come along and keep me company (thank you!!) and Rebel expressed the fact that he wished he could have joined me (made me feel special). And even though the day didn't start out quite like I wanted (bad Hutch!! bad!!) it did turn out OK.<br />
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I was supposed to use Hutch's truck and trailer to pick up the new pony to save on gas. However, at 3:36am she decided that she was going to go to Lebenon, OR instead to pick up a horse her aunt had found for her. Needless to say, I was not pleased. Well, super pissed actually. But I had already made commitments and people were expecting me to show up so the trip went forward.<br />
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I decided to take Flash too, to keep the new pony company. Turned out that was a good move. The trip up was uneventful. We stopped briefly in Portland and then finally made it to the farm. KA was there to meet us and I laid eyes on Cat for the first time. He was a tad on the scrawny side, but that'll be no problem to fix. That boy does like to eat and he'll be muscling up soon.<br />
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So I spent some time getting to know him, filled out the paperwork and then proceeded to introduce him to the concept of loading. He's really only been on transport trailers, so this was new to Cat. KA wasn't really experienced in loading and had no problem letting me take charge. After a little examination of the trailer (and Flash showing him how it's done) he hopped right on and rode quietly back to the farm.<br />
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Getting off the trailer was a little more interesting. He decided to try backing all the way off which kind of scared him a bit so I decided to load and unload him again (this time letting him turn around) and he did much better. Plus he actually got back <i>on </i>the trailer without too much fuss. Good boy!!<br />
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And then he saw the goats. He decided they are the spawn of the devil. Can't really blame him...<br />
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Then it was time to introduce him to his new digs. I decided to put him in the dry lot next to Cowboy. He hasn't been on pasture at all this year, so throwing him out there didn't seem like the best idea. Might be a bit of a shock to the system. He's got a big pen to roam around in plus a run-in shed when the weather isn't the best. Also, he won't have to fight for food. The plan for now is to keep a lot of hay in front of him and try to start putting a little more weight on.<br />
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<i>Anybody over there?</i></div>
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<i>Out of my way, woman. I have things to check out...</i></div>
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<i>Oh hai!!</i></div>
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<i>Oh hay!!</i></div>
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<i>Where are you going? Don't you want to be my best</i></div>
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<i>friend forever and ever?</i></div>
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He seems to be doing pretty well (minus trying to rip down the panels between the lots and hanging out with Cowboy... the panels held up just fine). Tomorrow I'll let him wear a saddle and I'll pony him out on the trails near the house. Time for his trail horse education to begin.</div>
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BTW, what do you guys think of the name Cat? Or should I change it to something else?</div>
SweetPeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01762714976706163036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973970198055215844.post-19301260121179262322012-09-21T10:53:00.001-07:002012-09-21T10:53:48.259-07:00One-sided...Question. Is there a whole lot of crazy planetary astrological shit going on or something? Because the last few weeks have been, well, strange. And weird. Very weird.<br />
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For those of you that are fellow bloggers, you'll understand what I'm talking about. For the rest of you, let me explain how this works. I write at night. Usually between the hours of 10pm and midnight. And then I set the post to publish 12 to 14 hours later. So, I'm writing like today is Friday (even though right this moment it is actually Thursday night). I have done this for a long time and therefore I don't really give it any thought. I also have it set up to post to my Facebook. Again, I really don't give it much thought.<br />
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However, people who have more time on their hands at work than I do, <i>do </i>give it some thought apparently. I got called into the HR office last week and was accused of writing my blog during work. There was a formal write-up sheet about it and everything. I listened to the whole spiel and then explained how this bloggin' <i>thang </i>actually works. Needless to say, the sheet was torn up and that was that.<br />
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But it was weird. Very weird. Couldn't someone have just picked up the phone and asked me? After all, by the time this thing actually posts I've most likely forgotten what the hell I've written about anyway. This thing is my brain dump, after all.<br />
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So, there was that. And then I had a very strange interaction with the landlords last week too. Flash, as you know, is injured. His back is ouchie and so Hutch kindly decided to let me borrow her mare Scout for a few months. Hutch already boards a horse at my place, so the landlords know her well. Hutch and I decided the best thing to do would be to swap out horses and have Scout at my place (so I could ride out from the property) and put Flash in with her horses for some R&R. Easy. I texted the LL's to let them know what I was doing. Then when I picked up Scout I had a face-to-face convo with them again about what I was doing. And then I packed up Flash and took him to Hutch's place.<br />
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And then I got this text message as I was on my way home: <span style="color: red;">We need to talk about things before making changes because we need to know. We might take on more boarders & we need to manage what's coming and going.</span><br />
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Hmmm... ok. I'm pretty sure that a text and in-person convo should cover that, but whatever. Basically, nothing changed except the color of the horse. It was weird. Very weird.<br />
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And then at the beginning of this week I had a place for rent basically fall into my lap. It's a place to rent on 5 acres that is a little closer to work and has trails right off the property. I will be saving $150 month and can have whatever horses I want out there. So, I'm moving in mid-October as well.<br />
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Oh, and Rebel showed up on Thursday (thinking it was actually Friday) and stayed until Tuesday. That was a nice surprise. I was missing him a lot. He'll be back next week to watch the pups while I'm in San Diego.<br />
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And then as I was cruising Facebook one day and I saw this needing a home...<br />
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<i>CatDancer...</i></div>
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He's 7 and there is just <i>something </i>about that face (I had the same reaction when I saw Flash for the first time, too). So I'm picking up a new horse this weekend. He will be the replacement for Storm, who is not even pasture sound anymore despite me throwing all kinds of money at her *sad face* I'm going to let her enjoy the pasture until it plays out and then I will be putting her down. Considering how rough last winter was on her (when she was actually walk/trot sound) it seems the kindest thing to do.</div>
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Wow. So many things happening at once. But I'm pretty excited about the new horse. I'll post pics when I have him home and settled in...</div>
SweetPeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01762714976706163036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973970198055215844.post-18087887726383831222012-09-12T09:46:00.001-07:002012-09-12T09:46:40.402-07:00A fungus among us...*sigh*<br />
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Flash has had this weird spot on his back for the past few weeks. It's right along his spine and is flaky and itchy and the hair is starting to come in white there. At first I thought it was no big deal... a little dry skin and it didn't seem to bother him when I touched it. I decided to put some ointment on it and see what happened. I rode him last Thursday and he was fine and the spot seemed to be about the same.<br />
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<i>Happy horse ready to move out...</i></div>
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<i>Halfway through the ride and still a pretty happy horse...</i></div>
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Last night when I pulled him from the pasture to ride with Honey I checked his back again. This time when I touched the spot he flinched... and not just a little. A lot. And then he gave me a look like "Don't touch that thing, woman... it <i>hurts</i>". So of course I did what any mother does, I pushed on it more. I mean, this is the horse that has never had a sore back in his life. Never.<br />
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After consulting with Honey, we decided it must be the new pad I bought him back in June creating a hot spot. Which sucks because that thing was expensive. The pad I had been using was just a cheap fleece thing. Guess I'll be looking for something different. But for now he's going out to Hutch's place to hang out with Commander and Melody while I bring Scout back to my place and put some rides on her.<br />
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So last night, I ended up riding one of Honey's horses... Frank. He's a good boy that was more than happy to go in any direction I pointed him. Honey rode bobble-head and we had a great time.<br />
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<i>Can you tell I've lost weight? I'm down 11 pounds :)</i></div>
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<i>Plus I'm on a tall horse... that never happens.</i></div>
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<i>View of the river through Frank's ears...</i></div>
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<i>Honey enjoying a ride, some wine and the sunset...</i></div>
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So now that I'm down a riding horse or two, I have some things to think about. Storm has come up lame again. Years before I got her she had an injury to her stifle and it fused. This past year it was doing pretty well and then in the last few months she's taken a major turn for the worse. I had the vet come out and do another injection, but she is still dead lame and the vet doesn't give her much of a chance of ever being sound again. I'll offer her back to the previous owner, but if she doesn't want her I'm considering putting her down. It does sound harsh, but if she's not going to improve then it seems the kindest thing.</div>
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And then there's Goodwin. He's doing just fine and seems to be growing up rather than out (which is too bad... I like my horses low to the ground in case ass and saddle ever part ways). He has a good personality and seems pretty trainable. I need to start putting some serious work on him and will probably bring him back to my place in November and get working on that. However, in the meantime I stumbled across another Arab that has really caught my eye. His price is right and he's already started. I guess we'll see where that goes.</div>
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In the meantime, Scout and I will be blazing the trails together. Should be fun...</div>
SweetPeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01762714976706163036noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973970198055215844.post-73569636497983747972012-09-11T09:49:00.000-07:002012-09-11T09:49:44.820-07:00It's official. I suck...Oh man. I seriously need to get a grip, people.<br />
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I have 3 blogs started... one about Pacific Crest (which I'm still up in the air about posting because it's not all rainbows and butterflies), one about trying to deal with a long distance relationship (in which I totally spill my guts and then remember that people probably don't <i>actually </i>want to hear about that shit) and then one about me lamenting over the fact that I'm not racing this weekend and that I'm sad. Boo hoo...<br />
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They are all bad, folks. Really, <i>really </i>bad.<br />
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Have I lost it? Have I lost my blogging mojo?<br />
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*sigh*<br />
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The fact is this: I have a great life, a great boyfriend, some awesome friends and the best family a person could ask for. Things on the job front aren't the best, but I just let that one go (unless it's been a particularly bad day). I feel like the things I'm writing about are things that people really don't really want to read about. They want <i>drama</i>. And other than the long-distance dating thing (which kinda sucks, by the way), I really don't have any. The Pacific Crest blog could definitely stir up some drama (again, not all rainbows and butterflies) but I'm just not sure I want to go there.<br />
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*sigh*<br />
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So, what's a blogger to do?<br />
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I guess I just need to get back in the swing of things again. It's not like I don't have time... Rebel's not due back in town for a few weeks (might have to rethink that, though... I miss him). I guess I just need to find my voice again. With all the hubbub of the summer, I've kind of lost it.<br />
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So stick with me, folks. I promise it will get better...SweetPeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01762714976706163036noreply@blogger.com0